Crown Prince Naruhito & Crown Princess Masako: Current Events

[carlota]

masako looks so lovely. t's great to see her smiling. in some way and although i find it terrible what happened with the pregnancy of kiko, i think masako kind of liked it actually. after all and as some people say, if she gives birth to a boy masako will be relieved, although she won't be the empress of japan. anyway, after all she had to go through i don't think she wants that anymore.

i really hope we see her more often. she is such a brave and commited woman. a true example for every other royal.

[fanletizia]

Crown Princess Masako makes public appearance

TOKYO: Japan’s Crown Princess Masako, who has long suffered from stress, made a rare appearance Thursday to see bonsai trees, with public attention suddenly shifted to her pregnant sister-in-law.
The former career woman, wearing a pinstriped business suit, looked at bonsai plum trees and other miniature potted plants at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, accompanied by her husband Crown Prince Naruhito.
It was their first joint appearance since July last year when the royal couple attended the World Exposition, a six-month technology showcase in central Aichi prefecture.


http://www.manilatimes.net/national/...60217opi6.html

[Avalon]

Originally Posted by carlota

masako looks so lovely. t's great to see her smiling. in some way and although i find it terrible what happened with the pregnancy of kiko, i think masako kind of liked it actually. after all and as some people say, if she gives birth to a boy masako will be relieved, although she won't be the empress of japan. anyway, after all she had to go through i don't think she wants that anymore.

What you mean, she won't be Empress of Japan? Of course she will. If Princess Kiko gives birth to a son, the boy will be in the line of succession after Crown Prince Naruhito, who will one day succeed his father, Emperor Akihito and become an Emperor, meaning that Crown Princess Masako will be Empress. It's Princess Aiko, that might not be an Empress in future, if Princess Kiko gives birth to a son and/or the succession laws are not changed.

[Emily]

Yes, Carlota, I feel the same way -- Masako did look genuinely happy in a couple of the pictures and it did cross my mind that just perhaps Kiko's pregnancy has lifted some burden from her shoulders. And since I happen to believe it has been determined by "manipulation" that Kiko is having a boy, this means Masako must be relieved that Aiko will be spared the Empress job, freeing her up just a bit to have a more normal life. In my dreams, Masako would still have a baby boy -- but more than that, I want her to be healthy.

[Mandy]

Or, Masako is genuinely happy and the IHA just want it to appear as if Masako is relieved that Kiko is pregnant.

[mandyy]

More photos
Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako look at plum and other miniature potted plants, also known as bonsai trees, at a bonsai exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum February 16, 2006. This was their first joint appearance since July last year when the royal couple attended some events at the World Exposition in Aichi, central Japan.

(Video links expires soon)
#1: ANN news video- http://meta.cdn.yahoo-streaming.jp/c...1&media=wm300k
#2: FNN news video- http://meta.cdn.yahoo-streaming.jp/c...1&media=wm300k
#3: NHK news
#4: JIJI press
#5: Mainichi news
#6-8: ANP
TBS news video- http://meta.cdn.yahoo-streaming.jp/c...1&media=wm300k
NNN news video- http://meta.cdn.yahoo-streaming.jp/c...0&media=wm300k

[mandyy]

Originally Posted by Emily

Is Naruhito just as busy? And does Masako do more than the press reports or is she generally at home more? Also, just an opinion question -- how did you think she looked in the recent photos viewing the Bonsai with Naruhito? I thought she looked genuinely happy but am curious to hear from you since you follow them more closely than I.

Naruhito is just as busy as Akishino. Sometimes the press doesn't report on Princess Masako doing official duties inside Togu Palace with Prince Naruhito. I only knew she performed duties after looking at their schedules.
From her recent outing, she looked a bit nervous at first from the video, but later showed that she was quite happy with Naruhito at the end of the video.
Cameras mostly captured her smile from the photos as you can see from the video.
The news also said that Princess Masako went to Gakushuin Kindergarten herself to get some info in preparation for Princess Aiko's schooling.

[Emmily]

It's wonderful to see her out, and she does appear very happy. And he does too.

[Emily]

Originally Posted by Mandy

Or, Masako is genuinely happy and the IHA just want it to appear as if Masako is relieved that Kiko is pregnant.

Yes.....manipulators that they are.

[monica17]

Great to see Masako looking so beautiful and happy! I really hope she can go out more. Masako and Naruhito look soooo good and happy together. :) I really like this couple.

[corazon]

masako really look great! very happy and relax. they are a beautiful couple.

[kei893265]

Originally Posted by mandyy

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako look at plum and other miniature potted plants, also known as bonsai trees, at a bonsai exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum February 16, 2006. This was their first joint appearance since July last year when the royal couple attended some events at the World Exposition in Aichi, central Japan.

more photos from ANN
1,2. in February 16, 2006
3. the same event in 1997
4. the same event in 2001

[mandyy]

Princess Masako in the spotliight as succession debated
Smiling serenely and elegantly dressed in a sharp pinstripe suit, Japan's Crown Princess Masako stepped out for a rare formal engagement in Tokyo. Giving no hint of the uncertainty surrounding her family since news broke of her sister-in-law's pregnancy, the glowing 42-year-old viewed bonsai trees with husband, Crown Prince Naruhito at an exhibition in the country's capital........................
http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2006/02/20/masako/

Photos from HELLO magazine

Below from TVBS news


#1: FNN news

[purple_platinum]

Naruhito and Masako today... Masako looks so stylish. i like her outfit. :)

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito (L) and his wife Crown Princess Masako smile before taking their seats to watch the Asia Round game between Japan and South Korea in the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo March 5, 2006.

Photos by Itsuo Inouye & Toru Yamanaka
1 : Reuters/Pool via yahoo
2-4 : AFP Photo//Pool via ANP
5 : AP/Pool via yahoo

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by purple_platinum

Naruhito and Masako today... Masako looks so stylish. i like her outfit. :)

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito (L) and his wife Crown Princess Masako smile before taking their seats to watch the Asia Round game between Japan and South Korea in the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo March 5, 2006.

Photos by Itsuo Inouye & Toru Yamanaka
1 : Reuters/Pool via yahoo
2-4 : AFP Photo//Pool via ANP
5 : AP/Pool via yahoo

Thanks purple_platinum! I think when Masako is at her best, she outshines all the other princesses.

[Emily]

Thanks, Jess! I think she is looking great these days -- I love that her hair is a bit longer -- she looks "softer" to me. Hang in there, girl!

[mandyy]

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako watch the Asia Round game between Japan and South Korea in the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo March 5, 2006.

(video links expires soon)
#1: JIJI press
#2: REuters
#3: FNN news video- http://meta.cdn.yahoo-streaming.jp/c...1&media=wm300k
#4: ANN news video- http://meta.cdn.yahoo-streaming.jp/c...1&media=wm300k
#5: Sanspo
#6: Asahi news
#7-8: Mainichi news
#9: Getty images

Below 2 from Polfoto

Korean boom hits Japan: Lees smash hosts' mission of sweeping Asian Round
...............Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako visited the dome to see Japan face South Korea. Shigeo Nagashima, Yomiuri's lifetime honorary manager, was also on hand for the game...............
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20060306TDY24005.htm

Korea upsets Japan to win Pool A
.............Sunday's game drew 40,353 fans, and also in attendance were Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako...............
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today...5wbcpoola.html